Rivas Late Downtown Show Denies Schio

29.03.2012

EUROLEAGUE WOMEN

Turning Point: Rivas Ecopolis drained three triples in a row heading down the stretch of the game and this ensured a swing which turned a two point deficit into a five point lead with less than two minutes remaining.

Game Heroe: Asjha Jones claimed a fantastic double-double of 28 points and 12 rebounds for Rivas.

Stats Don't Lie: Rivas managed to claim 17 second chance points compared to 8 for Schio but in a close game, it was scoring 9 points in less than two minutes via those flurry of triples which really did the damage.

Rivas Ecopolis continue to live the dream after some sharp outside shooting in crunch time helped them secure a 65-58 success against Beretta Famila-Schio to remain unbeaten in Istanbul.

Rivas didn't miss a beat after their incredible win over Galatasaray as they started with an 8-0 run and held Schio scoreless for the first five minutes. Indeed the Italian club only managed a single basket during the first seven minutes and found themselves 10-2 behind.

A Liron Cohen three-pointer from the corner looked like it might finally get hem rolling but by the end of the opening period they were marooned on just seven points with Rivas holding a double digit advantage.

They were given a boost when Chiara Consolini sunk a three-ball to get them off to a confident start at the beginning of the second quarter but it looked bleak once again when a rare triple by Asjha Jones put Rivas 29-15 in front.

Schio desperately needed a scoring run and it duly arrived right on time as they finished the half in real style, scoring 12 of the last 13 points including a super buzzer-beating three by Raffaella Masciadri.

Laura Macchi then completed the fight back by Schio after a score to level the contest at 37-37 although Rivas managed to get their noses in front at 45-43 heading into the final ten minutes.

Schio started the last quarter in great fashion with Maja Erkic scoring to complete and 8-2 run and give her team a four point lead.

Rivas could easily have cracked mentally but again showed they have the mental toughness and composure to win big games.

Anna Cruz and then Elisa Aguilar both released scores from deep, the latter making two in a row to put Rivas back ahead 59-54 with less than two minutes remaining.

It was a passage of play which broke the game open at a pivotal moment and enabled Rivas Ecoplis to pick up another fine win as winless Schio reflected on a missed opportunity.

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